These observations document past conditions at a small and variable scale. They are not to be confused with an avalanche forecast. They come from a variety of sources. We can only vouch for the quality of those produced by the SAC forecasters and professional observers.

Date and time of observation or avalanche occurrence Location Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images Observation made by
04/03/2023 - 15:00

Snowpack Observation
Frog Lake Ridge

Carson Pass Area
Cracking on a wind loaded test slope Cracks on test slopes failed near the surface, and also at the new/old interface down almost 2 feet More cracking on a wind loaded test slope The leeward side of Elephant's Back was obscured by wind blown snow Big cornices along Frog Lake Ridge Graupel as new snowfall Professional Observer
04/03/2023 - 14:03

Snowpack Observation
Rubicon Peak

West Shore Area
Ski kicks triggered shooting cracks on wind-loaded slopes in near treeline terrain. Ski kicks triggered shooting cracks on wind-loaded slopes in near treeline terrain. Blowing snow near the summit of Rubicon Clouds, snow and wind stuck around all day. Bursts of snow produced graupel throughout the day. About 3 inches of snow on top of a crust near the trailhead. Forecaster
04/02/2023 - 15:00

Snowpack Observation
Andesite Peak

Mount Rose Area
Graupel on a thin crust at the base of the wind slabs. Blowing snow building larger cornices and adding to wind slabs. Ripples on the snow surface in near treeline terrain. Large cornices on Andesite Ridge Forecaster
04/02/2023 - 09:15

Snowpack Observation
Meiss Meadow

Carson Pass Area
Public
04/01/2023 - 15:21

Snowpack Observation
Johnson Canyon

Donner Summit Area
Public
04/01/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Deep Creek

Cabin Creek, Deep Creek, or Pole Creek Area
View into Pole Creek with mostly cloudy skies by midday.   ECTN on wind slab 6-8'' deep. Soft snow available for wind transport at ridgeline at 8000'. Cornices along ridgeline to Deep Creek Peak. Forecaster
04/01/2023 - 10:30

Avalanche Observation
Hawkings Peak

Woodfords Canyon
Public
04/01/2023 - 10:00

Snowpack Observation
Bear Trap Cabin

Bear Valley Area
Public
04/01/2023 - 02:30

Avalanche Observation
Little truckee summit Public
04/01/2023 - 02:19

Snowpack Observation
Donner and trestle

Donner Summit Area
Public
04/01/2023 - 01:45

Avalanche Observation
Red lake peak

Carson Pass Area
Public
03/31/2023 - 13:00

Snowpack Observation
Incline Lake Peak

Mount Rose Area
Firm wind slabs with small localized cracking, but no signs of propagation. Light wind scouring and wind crusts on N aspects a few hundred feet below ridgeline. Very large cornices still exist along ridgelines in this area. Still some soft snow along ridgelines for future wind transport. Beautiful sunny day with some thin high clouds and some clouds over the west slope. Forecaster
03/31/2023 - 13:00

Avalanche Observation
Castle peak

Donner Summit Area
Public
03/31/2023 - 12:00

Avalanche Observation
Little Alaska

Blackwood Canyon or Ward Canyon Area
Public
03/31/2023 - 10:00

Snowpack Observation
Flagpole Peak

Echo Summit Area
Open east facing slopes around 7000 feet had a completely supportable crust at 9:00AM There were several large old wet loose slides on and adjacent to Flagpole. At the time I took this photo there were plumes of wind driven snow swirling around the summit and over the old wet loose debris. On a more NE aspect at about 7500 feet there was still nearly a foot of cold powdery snow. Looking towards Ralston. The winds were strong near the summit and blowing moderate amounts of snow. The SE side of this generally E facing gully had evidence of previous wet loose activity that ran for nearly 1000 feet. Professional Observer
03/30/2023 - 13:30

Avalanche Observation
Eureka Peak

Outside of the Forecast Area
Public
03/30/2023 - 12:30

Avalanche Observation
Hidden Peak

West Shore Area
Built out cornices and ridgeline with small wind slab avalanches. Small reactive wind slabs failing with a ski kick. Small reactive ski kicks failing with a ski kick. 8"+ of low density snow along ridgeline available for transport if winds increase tonight and tomorrow. Snowpack tests did not find any layers of concern at noted Lat/Long in ob.  8000' on NE aspect. View into Desolation Wilderness for a very impressive snowpack.  Some roller balls and point releases can be seen in the photo. Sun crusts forming on sun exposed slopes, E-SE aspects. Forecaster
03/30/2023 - 12:00

Avalanche Observation
Peak 9200 aka "Whites Creek Butte"

Outside of the Forecast Area
Public
03/30/2023 - 12:00

Snowpack Observation
Blue lakes

Carson Pass Area
Public
03/30/2023 - 12:00

Avalanche Observation
Mt. Judah and Trestle Peak

Donner Summit Area
Dropping cornice blocks onto wind sloaded slopes did not produce additional signs of unstable wind slabs. Large pieces of cornice dropped on this test slope did not trigger any wind slab failures. The cornices along the summit Ridge of Mt. Judah were massive. We stayed well away from them. ski cuts triggered rollerballs and pinwheels on sunny slopes by midday. One of several snowpit tests at various locations targeting the old buried weak layers. None of them produced unstable results. Recent storm slab avalanches on lower Trestle peak. Cloud cover building over the mountains around noon. Forecaster

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